Tuesday, April 30, 2013

With the worldwide and much anticipated release of the Great Gatsby coming up very soon, it seems everyone and their mama - at least in fashion and beauty terms - is going utterly gaga for all things Gatsby! I can't really say I blame them however, as the time period of the book and now the film is one that is so utterly rich in inspirational style. Everything from the hair, the makeup and the fashions of the 1920s is something that we all seem to latch on to, look up to and strive to emulate whenever the mood strikes. How many of us have been a Flapper girl at Halloween solely to get away with the drop waist glamour, the (faux) bobs, and the feathers? I know I have!

I say the faux bob because I unlike a few of my friends have never been brave enough (or had the jawline for it) to cut the mane into a 20s bob, but I salute you if you have, it's not an easy choice going so short! If like me you are a little scared of going full chop there is the solution of The Faux.

Start by heat styling your hair whichever way you'd like it -straightening, wavy curl, or full on curly curly) and part it a little slightly off the
center of the head. Then make a low ponytail, about halfway down the length of your hair
from the base of your neck to the bottom.Then just tuck and roll the ponytail underneath, moving
upwards until you reach the nape of your neck, then discreetly secure
underneath with slides/bobby pins - ones that colour match your hair would be perfect as they'll be harder to spot! Complete the do by spraying hair with a strong hold finishing spray.

The style of the film, and of the Hollywood version of the 20s in any film really focuses on the softness of the era, style wise at least. The soft makeup - with a daring lip from time to time, but mostly a soft eye and base - the silks and drop waist dresses, the buckle Maryjane's and the headpieces. Everyone from Downton Abbey to Miuccia Prada has caught the bug - rightfully so too since she was co-costume designer on the film! Click here to see some of her original sketches.

For the Daisy look - seen here from Carey Mulligan in her Vogue shoot for this month's issue, I see they've focused on the soft base with a slight smokey eye and berry lip. It's bold, teamed in with the elaborate feather dresses and headpieces, it runs the risk of looking too 'over done' - but - bad photo-shopping aside, I think it's a look that looks stunning on her, it really helps the audience get a sense of who this character is.

My dupes for the Daisy look at home would be the following :

Start off with a good base, and for a good base make sure you cleanse and tone and of course slap on a good moisturiser, one of my faves is the 'Total Moisture facial cream' by +Benefit Cosmetics

Next up is your foundation (or use a primer if you feel you may need one!) for this flawless finish I find I work with liquid foundations best, and this one from +BourjoisUK the 'new' Healthy Mix (full review if you'd like it, later in the week?) is fab!

Next up to conceal any unsightly blemishes go for a hydrating concealer, something like the new FakeUp by +Benefit Cosmetics I hear is fantastic for those of us with a dry under-eye area. After that I'd focus on eyes, using any plumping and thickening lash lacquer that will help to widen and thicken your lashes giving you that wide-eyed seemingly innocent Daisy look.

Using a neutral pallet, such as the MUA Heaven and Earth Pallet - £4! would be ideal if you're on a budget.

Sweeping a neutral across the entire lid, followed by a darker shade in the crease for depth, and a little of that under the lash line below should finish off the shadow work. If you feel so inclined, the winged eyeliner look can only add to the luxurious drama of the 20s look, choosing a gel liner I find is easier to work with over a liquid - it's less messy and there's less room for mistakes! I use the +Maybelline UK gel liner in black for this effect.

Finish off the look with a deep berry shade for an over the top statement face, or a softer neutral shade for that subtle more understated vibe.

For the berry shade I love the Fabulous Fig from +Revlon or the softer sheen shade in Temptress to round off the look.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

I don't know about you guys, but I love web shopping. Well, I mean I love shopping in general but there's something really nice about sitting down with some hot chocolate and scrolling to happiness. I love Ebay for some seriously discounted goodies on occasion and lately I've been loving all things Etsy. It really is that place where you can find something one of a kind, and if it's not one of a kind at the very least it's not something a zillion other people in your town might have. So there's a level of exclusivity that I like, that and it's supporting artists directly with their business, which I think is just fantastic.
Here are some of my latest finds that I desperately want to order but haven't so far, so for now they remain on the Lust List! Happy Sunday loves! xo

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Boyfriend, Blue, Ripped, Skinny, Fitted, and Flared… the
list of these magical jeans seems endless and timeless and so easily turned up.
If you are a shorty like myself this is a very handy trick that thankfully has
been back in Vogue for a couple of seasons now, to turn up the bottom of your
jeans is A-okay now and no longer a ‘geeky’ ‘out of style’ move to attempt.

Or so they tell me.

Either way it’s
wonderful because as a short stack I’m forever in the petite section of
clothing stores and even then all
jeans end up being just that little bit too long for me if I want to wear
flats, it’s a nightmare! So this little trick is so welcomed in the house of
EIC, and it’s fantastic that the already pre-turned jean are made ready-to-wear
in most high street shops now, ranging from +New Look to @H&M to +Topshop and
beyond. They look amazing with heels or wedges (or wedge trainers if you feel
so inclined) and of course my cherished and comfy flats.

So what are the best of the best?

New Look are good at the turn, those their range a little
more on the bigger turn up than say Topshop’s LEIGH jean – it sits pre-turned
and tiny at the ankle. But if you want them higher up, it’s an easy fix if they
aren’t the super skinny type of material – you know the kind that feels like a
second skin and makes you feel every single calorie you’ll intake that day?

Yeah, that kind.

I do love them though, and my favourite would have to be the
LEIGH from Topshop. As a very recent Topshop jean convert I can say that. Because
for years it was a shop I only spent money in if it was on much needed
accessories (or their amazing makeup
line!) but very rarely did I gravitate toward their casual clothing lines, I don’t
know why, but the homeless hipster vibe they give off isn’t really my thing
over all.

BUT their jeans are just amazeballs, with the LEIGH winning out in my
mind (or my legs, if you prefer) and I live in my various pairs.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Hi guys! Day two of Theme Week and we have #Makeup Monday! I have to share with you one of my 'holy grail' products - in fact this entire line of products earn a rightful place on that list, but this in particular is the latest addition! The +Bourjois Paris Deutschland. For the longest time I had issues with conclear, as most of us do from time to time, but because I never knew my 'type' of skin I was using products too drying for the skin type I'm stuck with and thus making it so much worse. That went on for a few years, before I really began getting into skincare and makeup and started really paying attention, from then on out I've tried to make more educated choices and not just pick something because 'ooh pretty' - but to be honest that wins out every now and again, I won't lie!

With the Healthy Mix range I've fallen in love with the original foundation ( a staple!) and even the serum (which apparently is better for my skin type but I still prefer the original, personal preference an all that jazz) and now the concealer.

I purchased the lightest shade (51) as we know it's for my Casper skin tone, so the lightest fits perfectly on me. In the photos (I blame my crappy lighting, sorry!) It appears a little more yellow toned than it is in real life and in day light for that matter, but trust me if you are a pale chick like me these are plenty pale!

Everyone and their Mamma knows what a fantastic brand Bourjois is, I mean it's been on the go since the 1800s and there are not very many brands today that can claim that kind of longevity, so they must be doing something right, right?

Damn right.

I stopped using their foundations to try others this past few weeks, and as far as highstreet available brands are concerned this is my favourite - I'm not scared to say it, they're THAT good.

The conclear itself goes on smooth, and creamy with a rich texture of satin as it glides on the under eye and on any discolouration or blemishing you may have. It's so light it almost fades like moouse, but it doesn't feel sticky or heavy at all and for someone with dry skin this is a God send. Basically if you haven't given this brand a chance, you need to experiment with a company that have been serving us ladies since before your Granny's Granny was in lipstick!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Hi guys! Happy Sunday! Hope you're weekend is going well. I've decided to do a cheeky theme week on the blog this week, just for fun really, so hopefully you'll enjoy the puns if nothing else. Today we start with 'Scent Sunday' taking about my love of certain perfumes, and showcasing one of my newest try outs.

First off let me say that I'm a loyalist when it comes to certain perfumes. My two that have circulated for years now are Coco Mademoiselle - +CHANEL and +Thierry Mugler Angel. But every now and again I'll receive one as a gift, or a new scent will catch my eye (and my nose!) and I just have to check it out too.

I received the +Juicy CoutureViva La Juicy - La Fleur as a Christmas gift from a friend, and it wasn't something I had ever thought of trying for myself before, mainly because I figured they would be very sweet smelling, almost sickly sweet, and that didn't appeal to me at all. But, since I was given this, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it did smell, and how much of a spring feel it had to it. Which means, it's perfect for this time of year.

First of all I was taken in by the pretty packaging, I liked it but it did seem aimed at a slightly younger audience than myself in my mid 20s. But, I know the brand and it's usual affection for prettily accessorized bottles, and this one was no exception. It came wrapped in a pretty pink bow and sporting a 'badge' of Couture!

How sweet.

I love the shape of the bottle, and the little extras that give it that little something special to stand apart from other fragrance packaging out there.

Next up was the scent, because with perfume that's really what it boils down to - it's nice to be pretty and dainty and what not but if you don't like the smell there's really not much else to talk about is there? With this one, at first I was unsure if I liked it or not, but smelling it from the bottle vs on the skin - it becomes a lot more subtle on the skin after a few minutes, and that for me is important. There is nothing worse than the waft of over applied perfume, it becomes too much too quickly. So the fact that this hits the nose gently and over time is a great plus.

The Juicy peeps tell us this perfume is:

An Uplifting. Playful. Dreamy. Inspired by the blushing aura of being in
love, Viva la Juicy La Fleur is a breathtaking new fragrance that
captures the dreamy, ethereal feeling of loves first embrace.

With notes of Wild Berries, Mandarin, Honeysuckle, Gardenia Petals, Soft Jasmine, Vanilla, Caramel, Sandalwood it runs the risk of becoming one of those 'sickly' sweet smells, but again, on different skin to a different nose the smell may or may not become just that. For me, it did not and the soft floral smell is really pleasant and appealing.

Have you tried La Fleur? If so do you like it? Love it? Hate it? Sound off below! :D

Friday, April 12, 2013

I receive a few messages via email and on Tumblr mostly every now and again on what kind of makeup I use or skincare I prefer, and tonight I got this on possibly recommending a skin primer. Without much detail to go on, I could only give a couple of my favourites. Hope it helps you guys on the hunt for the next big primer in your life too!Featuring +Boots UK+Avon Ireland+MACMAKEUP MAC

If you have any questions or comments on what I post here on on Tumblr, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Lust List for EIC is basically my way of jotting down items I love and filing them away for when I let loose on the purse strings, drain my poor wee bank account, and hit the shops. It's difficult being sensible with money - but it's amazing the things you learn to live without on a resessionista's budget!
For the next splurge I have my eye on these beauties!

ASOS Popper Front Fit And Flare Mac - £78.78. I really need a mac coat in my life, I know they are a capsule wardrobe must-have and I want! But, I've forever been annoyed by how standard macs fit me, being a shortie I have to hem everything. This fit and flare from ASOS looks like it might be the perfect shape for me! Definitely on the list! Don't you love it? I looove it.Another one from ASOS - apparently I have jacket fever tonight, is this babe.

Now usually I steer clear of beige because when I was a blonde it seriously washed out my already ghost-like shading, but since going back to my roots - literally - I have become more accepting of it, but still waiting. This however is just too cool. I love how effortless it looks, classic with a modern edge for sure.

Do we like it? I kind of like it, for now at the very least. I grew tired of my other header, and wanted a little more brightness on the blog - I think my little face made of makeup is just the kind of bright, playful vibe I'm after right now! :D

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream/Gel Shadow – On and On Bronze
(aka Bad to the Bronze)

I had been wanting to try the +Maybelline UK Colour tats for a
while now, and I kept forgetting and forgetting every time I popped into the high-street
to pick one or two of them up to give them a whirl. I finally remembered, and I picked up the bronze shade – On and On Bronze – to see if what
all the fuss was about?

I have had it a few weeks now, and I have to say, at first,
I was not very impressed with it, I just wasn’t so sure if it was the over-all
texture, or the getting used to blending or the shimmer or whatever it was, but
at first I was like ‘meh’. Then, I was going away this weekend ( to Belfast
actually, I did the Titanic tour and everything I may blog about it) and decided
to pack it anyway just in case.

Well, my tune has changed I have to admit. Given
a little bit of time with this and the right eye shadow primer, it became a
really great shade for a night on the town for me. It does all the work for you
when it comes to the start of a ‘smoky’ eye, in fact it even appears that
little bit darker in the eye crease so you don’t even have to have a darker
shade at the ready to deepen the look in that area. So you can skip an entire
step in the eye routine, and hey, who doesn’t want that right?

In the photos, you can see the packaging of course – and the
product itself in soft lighting – and more helpful I hope, in bright day light.

A Cream formula glides on without creasing and keeps colour vibrant.
That it is also ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact
lens wearers ( I can attest to this as I am both a sensitive eye having person
;) and a contact lens wearer, and it didn’t irritate me on either fronts, so
well done there!)

Now one of the biggest problems I have with eye shadows, as
a glasses wearer is the creasing – obviously it’s going to happen with the
condensation / extra heat and what not around the eye area when I wear my
glasses day-to-day, and that’s fine. However, even with primer, this happens
sometimes and it is a bit of a nuisance to be honest. Therefore, when something
comes along and says its twenty-four-hour long lasting AND crease free, best
believe I want to try these babies out to see if they do what they say on the
tin … er pot. As well as all the hype that they fall under pretty decent dupes
for the MAC Paintpots, it all seems very positive!

Does this?

Yes and no.

With glasses on, there is still a little creasing, but not a
lot and I can deal with that. It doesn’t really fade throughout the day either
which is also great, so the only thing you need to top up is your mascara or
eyeliner where your eye makeup is concerned, and with contacts the creasing was
limited and it blended easily. On the other hand, I would use this sparingly
unless of course a dark smoky is the effect you’re after. I find for super pale
Casper-esq ladies like myself it can almost appear too rich for day time, and
it took me a couple of days to get a hand of just ‘how much was too much’ as
far as application was concerned.Overall though this was well worth a second chance and I’m glad I gave it another
go. I really want to try out the rest of the range now to see what they can
offer me!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Now if you're like me, you know who she is but not exactly what it is she does - other than wear clothes wonderfully. I knew of Ms Palermo from The Hills spin-off The City, a few years ago and while her personality left... a little to be desired on that show, her sense of style was something that no one could really question. Since then she's landed herself modelling contracts for some exciting fashion houses, but generally continues to do whatever it is a fashionable 'socialite' does. Whatever that is.
Anyway enough of that, let's look at some of her recent ensembles!

From her killer heels on the cobbled streets of NYC to her cool Euro style while on the continent, as well as her thing for super flattering cat-eye shades, she's definately in the top five of my style crushes that's for sure!